The prime accused in the rape and killing of a minor girl in Uttarkashi, which had led to a wave of protests across Uttarakhand, has been arrested, police said on Tuesday.

The main accused Mukesh alias Bunty was picked up on Tuesday from Dunda Devidhar in the district and he has confessed to the crime, DIG Ajay Rautela told reporters.

To ward off suspicion, the accused who was known to the victim's family, even participated in protests against the incident, the officer said.